PHOTO: Rape suspect Edward Kollie and the elderly woman survivor
By Tokpa Tarnue- tarnue82@gmail.com
Police in Salayea district Lofa County are currently investigating a 53-year-old man for allegedly raping an elderly woman.
According to police investigations, the suspect identified as Edward Kollie of sucromu town was arrested on March 6, 2023, after the elderly woman reported and alleged that she was sexually abuse (Rape) by 53 years old Edward Kollie.
The rape survivor told police investigators that, there was a dance in their town on March 5, 2023 when she went to the dance and she saw the accused. She asked him to please tell her his time after which she later decided to go home on grounds that it was about to rain.
“After I reached home while trying to open my door, someone pushed me straight into my room, only to realize that it was the accused Edward Kollie who pushed me in the room, jump on me with fighting and forcibly had sex with me,” she further explained.
A witness provided by the complainant identified as Korto Flomo of the same community told the investigation that, they all were at the dance and Victim decided to go home and this is how accused decided to follow Victim because he accused bought 50 Liberian dollars cane juice for them.
Witness Korto Flomo further told the investigation that after the survivor left the dance, she too went home and stopped by at her house and met accused in victim’s room.
“After some time, I saw Victim coming towards me with crying that accused Edward Kollie forcedly had sex with her and she even showed me her under clothe that he the accused torn with mud all on her face walking on her right leg that she sustained injury on doing the incident as she said that she was trying to stop the accused,” wetness Korto Flomo mentioned.
During preliminary investigation by the Police Women and Children Protection Service with the 53-year-old accused Edward Kollie, he told the investigation that he was under the influence of alcohol and could not remember anything that happened.
The victim was later referred at the Salayea Health Center for medical examination and treatment, with the medical report later showing that the elderly woman survivor was tempered with and was sexually abused.
Meanwhile, police have since charged defendant Edward Kollie and sent him to court on the charge of rape, while the victim is continuing medical treatment.